FACILITIES MANAGEMENT CONTRACT BEGINS AT FIRST EXTRA CARE
DEVELOPMENT

The
first Extra Care PFI development in Cheshire was officially opened
recently, which marks the start of the facilities management and
planned and responsive maintenance and repairs services provided by
Powerminster Gleeson Services.

The facilities management contractor will provide grounds
maintenance (hard and soft landscaping), management of void
properties, planned and responsive maintenance of boilers and
heating systems and life cycle replacements for a 30 year term on
behalf of Avantage, the consortium that has built and will run the
project.

David Bradbury, PFI Director at Powerminster Gleeson Services
explains: “We are delighted to be working with Cheshire County
Council and the partner organisations to provide a range of services
that meet the requirements of local people now and in the future.
This is great news for our company as it provides a stable contract
for 30 years for our workforce, whilst strengthening our position as
an FM provider. We are really excited about the chance to make a
huge difference to the lives of many hundreds of people who will
have the opportunity to live in these superb new properties.”

The Oakmere development in Handforth is the first of five Extra Care
sites in the county to be unveiled by Avantage, with other sites
planned for Crewe, Winsford, Ellesmere Port and Middlewich with a
total of 435 new homes.

The Oakmere development contains 53 Extra Care apartments, and on
site facilities include an IT suite, a hairdressers, library,
snoozelum, gym and village hall, which both residents and
non-residents over the age of 60 are encouraged to make full use of.

Made up of Harvest Housing Group, MJ Gleeson Group and Nationwide
Building Society, Avantage is the consortium chosen by Cheshire
County Council to design, build and operate the five Extra Care
Housing developments. The purpose-built apartments will be offered
for outright sale, shared ownership and rental via an allocations
policy to ensure local people in most need are given priority.

Extra Care housing offers safe and secure accommodation for people
over 60 and provides additional support when required, such as
access to 24 hour on-call staff, enabling people to live
independently in their own homes, with varying levels of support
adapted to their changing needs. In addition to care, a wide range
of facilities and social activities are available for residents.

Steve Wilkinson, chairman of Cheshire County Council, commented:
"Extra Care living is so much more than just luxury apartments. The
combination of high quality housing with all the services on offer,
including support with personal and health care, will make such a
difference to improving the lives of many people over the age of
60.”

“It is the aim of Cheshire County Council and Avantage to help these
people to remain independent in their own home for longer than might
otherwise have been the case."

Further information on Oakmere Development, or any of the other
Avantage developments in Cheshire, can be obtained by calling 0845
618 5008 or e-mailing mychoice@avantage.co.uk.

Powerminster Gleeson Services has extensive resources and its own
in-house teams dedicated to electrical and gas maintenance servicing
and repair and facilities and estates management services.